Zhu Yuan Build Guide: W-Engine, Drive Discs & Teams | Zenless Zone Zero

Alexa Hunter

Mar 26, 2026

Zhu Yuan is a calm and highly capable officer in Zenless Zone Zero, recognized for her accuracy, discipline, and responsibility. As a ranged attacker, Zhu Yuan is best suited for dealing damage while maintaining control of the battlefield through precise positioning and timing. Her professionalism make her a standout character, not only in combat but also in the overall storyline. In this blog, we will delve into the gameplay, strengths, and best builds for Zhu Yuan, as well as some tips regarding W-Engines, Drive Discs, and team synergy that will help you get the most out of this character.

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Zhu Yuan Agent Overview

Zhu Yuan Information

Agent Information
	Rarity	S-Rank
	Attribute	Ether
	Specialty	Attack
	Faction	Criminal Investigation Special Response Team
	Combat Role	DPS

Zhu Yuan Overview

Zhu Yuan is a S-Rank Ether Attack Agent of the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team who uses a specialised gun in combat, giving her the ranged advantage, being able to deal consistent damage while also maintaining a safe distance from enemies. She's known for her burst playstyle, dealing significant damage to enemies in a short amount of time. Her gameplay revolves around managing her special resource called Enhanced Shotshell, which can be gained through completing her Basic Attack string, as well as using EX Special, Chain Attack and Ultimate. Zhu Yuan can hold up to 9 Enhanced Shotshells; when holding the Basic Attack button, she will switch to Suppressive Mode, consuming Enhanced Shotshells to shoot out Ether bullets that deal massive Ether DMG, the damage of this attack can also be increased by upgrading her Core Skill.

Zhu Yuan Skill Priority

Below are the best skill priorities for Zhu Yuan:

Skill	Priority
Core Skill	★★★★★ (Top)
Basic Attack	★★★★ (Top)
Chain Attack	★★★★ (Top)
Special Attack	★★★ (High)
Dodge	★ (Low)
Assist	★ (Low)

Zhu Yuan's Core Skill increases the damage of her enhanced shots by up to 40%, it stands out as the most valuable per upgrade, making it the primary focus when upgrading her skills. Her Basic Attack and Chain Attack come next, for they both possess strong impact on her overall DMG. Her Special Attack is placed in a secondary tier, offering solid benefits but not to the same extent as the top-priority skills. Meanwhile, her Dodge and Assist skill sit at the lowest priority due to being the least contribution to her performance.

Zhu Yuan Best W-Engines

Being an Attack character, Zhu Yuan wants as much ATK%, Crit Rate and Crit DMG as possible, with a major focus on Crit DMG, as her Additional Core Ability already provide a lot of Crit Rate. Her Signature W-Engine, Riot Suppressor Mark VI generally works best for her, though there are also some close competition. We recommend you secure the W-Engines below to maximise her performance.

Best Choice
Riot Suppressor Mark VI (S-Rank)	Base ATK: 713 Bonus Stat: Crit DMG 48% W-Engine Effect (R1): Increases CRIT Rate by 15%. Launching an EX Special Attack grants the equipper 8 Charge stacks, up to a maximum of 8 stacks. Whenever the equipper's Basic Attack or Dash Attack deals Ether DMG, consumes a Charge stack and increases the skill's DMG by 35%.
Alternatives
Cordis Germina (S-Rank)	Base ATK: 713 Bonus Stat: Crit Rate 24% W-Engine Effect (R1): Increases CRIT Rate by 15%. When the equipper deals DMG with a Basic Attack or EX Special Attack, they gain 1 stack of a buff. Each stack increases the equipper's Electric DMG by 12.5%, up to 2 stacks. Each stack lasts 40s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately. Can trigger once per use of a skill. At 2 stacks, the wearer's Basic Attack and Ultimate DMG ignore 20% of enemy DEF.
The Brimstone (S-Rank)	Base ATK: 684 Bonus Stat: ATK 30% W-Engine Effect (R1): Upon hitting an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dash Attack, or Dodge Counter, the equipper's ATK increases by 3.5% for 8s, stacking up to 8 times. This effect can trigger once every 0.5s. The duration of each stack is calculated separately.
Heartstring Nocturne (S-Rank)	Base ATK: 713 Bonus Stat: Crit Rate 24% W-Engine Effect (R1): CRIT DMG increases by 50%. When the equipper enters the battlefield, or activates a Chain Attack or Ultimate, they gain 1 stack of Heartstring. Each stack of Heartstring allows the equipper's Chain Attack and Ultimate to ignore 12.5% of the target's Fire RES, stacking up to 2 times and lasting 30s. Repeated triggers reset the duration.
Starlight Engine (A-Rank)	Base ATK: 594 Bonus Stat: ATK 25% W-Engine Effect (R5): Launching a Dodge Counter or Quick Assist increases the equipper's ATK by 19.2% for 12s.
Marcato Desire (A-Rank)	Base ATK: 594 Bonus Stat: Crit Rate 20% W-Engine Effect (R5): When an EX Special Attack or Chain Attack hits an enemy, the equipper's ATK increases by 9.6% for 8s. While the target is under an Attribute Anomaly, this effect is increased by an additional 9.6%.

Zhu Yuan Best Drive Disk Sets

The best choices for Zhu Yuan's 4-piece options are the Chaotic Metal and Woodpecker Electro Drive Disk Set. For her 2-piece choice, you can choose from Chaotic Metal, Woodpecker Electro, Branch & Blade Song, Dawn's Bloom, and Astral Voice depending on the stats she need.

Best Choice
Chaotic Metal	Increases Ether DMG by 10%. (2-piece) The equipper's CRIT DMG increases by 20%. When any character in the squad triggers Corruption's additional DMG, this effect further increases by 5.5% for 8s, stacking up to 6 times. Repeated triggers reset the duration. (4-piece)
Woodpecker Electro	Increases CRIT Rate by 8%. (2-piece) Landing a critical hit on an enemy with a Basic Attack, Dodge Counter, or EX Special Attack increases the equipper's ATK by 9% for 6s. The buff duration for different skills are calculated separately. (4-piece)
2-piece Choice
Dawn's Bloom	Damage dealt by Basic Attack is increased by 15%. (2-piece)
Woodpecker Electro	Increases CRIT Rate by 8%. (2-piece)
Branch & Blade Song	CRIT DMG +16%. (2-piece)
Chaotic Metal	Increases Ether DMG by 10%. (2-piece)
Astral Voice	ATK +10%. (2-piece)

Zhu Yuan Best Drive Disk Stats

Here are the best Drive Disc main stats and sub-stats for Zhu Yuan:

1. Drive Disc Main Stats

Main Stats	Drive Disk Slot
Crit DMG/Crit Rate	Slot 4
ATK%/Ether DMG%/Pen Ratio%	Slot 5
ATK%	Slot 6

2. Drive Disc Sub Stats

Sub Stats	Priority
Crit Rate	★★★ (High)
Crit DMG	★★★ (High)
ATK%	★★★ (High)
Pen	★★ (Medium)
Flat ATK	★★ (Medium)

Zhu Yuan Best Teams

Zhu Yuan's Additional Core Ability provides her a tremendous 30% Crit Rate, but can only be activated when there's a Support character or another member of the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team faction. Which is why you must include either of them in the squad for the best performance.

1. Zhu Yuan Premium Team

Nicole is especially good for Zhu Yuan, providing Crit Rate and DEF shred in short windows that synergise amazingly with Zhu Yuan's burst combos. Astra Yao and Sunnaare also amazing teamates for her owing to their powerful buffs. For team variants including a Stunner, Dialyn, Trigger and Qingyi stand out as her best teamates.

DPS

Support

Zhu Yuan (S-Rank)

Nicole (A-Rank)

Astra Yao (S-Rank)

Zhu Yuan (S-Rank)

Dialyn (S-Rank)

Nicole (A-Rank)

Zhu Yuan (S-Rank)

Qingyi (S-Rank)

Sunna (S-Rank)

Zhu Yuan (S-Rank)

Trigger (S-Rank)

Nicole (A-Rank)

2. Zhu Yuan Free To Play Team

Zhu Yuan unfortunately doesn't have many options for her Free to Play teams. Nicole, again, is her best choice for a free character. Zhao and Anby also work as great teamates for her, though bear in mind their playstyle will be polar opposite to eachother.

DPS

Support

Zhu Yuan (S-Rank)

Zhao (S-Rank)

Nicole (A-Rank)

Zhu Yuan (S-Rank)

Anby (A-Rank)

Nicole (A-Rank)

Zhu Yuan Mindscape Cinema

M1: Quick Reload

Rating: ★★★★ (Great)
Effect: When Zhu Yuan activates Chain Attacks/Ultimates, gain the Quick Reload effect. When Zhu Yuan has the Quick Reload effect and uses up all Enhanced Shotshells, the Quick Reload effect will be consumed to instantly gain 6/9 Enhanced Shotshells.
This Mindscape provides Zhu Yuan with additional Enhanced Shotshells upon depleting them after using a Chain Attack or Ultimate, increasing Zhu Yuan's overall damage quite significantly as well as easing the process of preparing Enhanced Shotshells every stun window.

M2: Ether Ember

Rating: ★★★★ (Great)
Effect: In Suppressive Mode, Zhu Yuan’s Anti-Interrupt level is increased and DMG taken reduced by 10%. When Zhu Yuan hits an enemy with Enhanced Shotshells, the target takes 10% more Ether DMG from Basic Attack: Please Do Not Resist and Dash Attack: Overwhelming Firepower DMG, stacking up to 5 times and lasting for 5s. Each shot adds one stack of this effect, and repeated triggers reset the duration.
Another great Mindscape for Zhu Yuan. The 50% increase in DMG for her enhanced Basic Attack as well as Dash Attack, albeit short in duration, is very effective in increasing Zhu Yuan's DPS thanks to her burst playstyle.

M3: Public Security Special Training

Rating: ★★ (Good)
Effect: Basic Attack, Assist, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2
Although this Mindscape only offers numerical skill level increases, Zhu Yuan's overall damage gets a decent upgrade from this Mindscape, as her damage output comes directly from the scaling of her Skills.

M4: Ether Perforation

Rating: ★★★ (Good)
Effect: When Zhu Yuan hits an enemy with Enhanced Shotshells, her Basic Attack: Please Do Not Resist and Dash Attack: Overwhelming Firepower ignore 25% of the target’s Ether RES.
Zhu Yuan's Mindscape 4 provides her with a strong 25% Ether DMG shred, though it doesn't give as big of an upgrade in her overall performance compared to her other Mindscapes with new effects.

M5: Special Ops Experience

Rating: ★★ (Good)
Effect: Basic Attack, Assist, Dodge, Special Attack, and Chain Attack Lv. +2
Identical to Zhu Yuan's Mindscape 3, only offering numerical skill level increases but a decent increase in her damage output.

M6: Expanded Energy Pack III

Rating: ★★★★★ (Best)
Effect: When Zhu Yuan consumes a total of 12 Enhanced Shotshells, she receives the Ether Afterglow effect, and the Energy cost of the next EX Special Attack is reduced by 30. Launching an EX Special Attack will consume Ether Afterglow and shoot an additional 4-bullet Ether Buckshot. Each extra bullet deals DMG equal to 220% of Zhu Yuan's ATK.
This Mindscape has the biggest impact on Zhu Yuan's DPS. The reduced cost of EX Special combined with the new ability to shoot out additional bullets after launching an EX Special bring about an amazing increase in her DPS, making her better than ever.

Conclusion

In summary, Zhu Yuan is a great Attack Agent in Zenless Zone Zero. With the right build and team setup, she can deliver amazing damage and strong battlefield control. We hope this Zhu Yuan guide can provide you with a better understanding of her strengths and help you maximize her potential.

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Zhu Yuan Build Guide: W-Engine, Drive Discs & Teams | Zenless Zone Zero

Zhu Yuan Agent Overview

Zhu Yuan Information

Zhu Yuan Overview

Zhu Yuan Skill Priority

Zhu Yuan Best W-Engines

Zhu Yuan Best Drive Disk Sets

Zhu Yuan Best Drive Disk Stats

1. Drive Disc Main Stats

2. Drive Disc Sub Stats

Zhu Yuan Best Teams

1. Zhu Yuan Premium Team

2. Zhu Yuan Free To Play Team

Zhu Yuan Mindscape Cinema

Conclusion